Romance is back-Rye Lane Movie

I spent my entire summer in a constant loop watching guilty pleasure television. I’ve probably seem all the love reality shows (even the International ones) and random lawyer shows that have dropped on most streaming services. The year did start off strong with shows such as Swarm, Love and Death and Bear. But can I say the same about movies? I don’t know. But then I watched Rye Lane. As someone who grew up watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding, How to Lose a Guy in 10 days, Pretty Women etc, Rye lane felt like a nicely tied bowed present waiting for me downstairs. Because who thought romance was dead? I did.

How Rom’ Coms physiologically affect the body

Maybe this is all a load of baloney, but I do think (for the ones that actually appreciate a good rom- com) that our brains short-circuit watching them. We get a thrill witnessing the obvious yet not so obvious “meet cute” (the modern damsel in distress, the furtive glances across the packed room). I love it all. The buildup of these character’s dynamics supposedly releases oxytocin and dopamine making you believe YOU are falling in love. This genre made hundred of millions at the box-office once upon a time. People were invested in falling in love back in the day. Rye Lane reminded me of that.

A unique visual style to enhance storytelling

Rye lane is based in South London. Cinematographer Olan Collardy discusses the wide variety of films he drew inspiration from to showcase his quirky love for South London, Peckham. Collard uses more anamorphic and wide shots so the audience gets a better view of the environment. We as the viewers are able to see how much this lively neighborhood plays a huge role in the film and character development. I found this technique refreshing as someone who knows nothing about South London. I was able to fully understand their story by understanding their neighborhood and where they grew up. Collard really wanted to showcase that this was not only a love story between two different characters but really a love letter to Peckham.

Comedic elements that offset the dramatic ones. 

This movie has some uniquely comedic elements unlike I’ve ever seen in a rom-com. For one, most of the cheeky dialogue is exchanged majority of the time in movement. We hear their banter as they stroll from various local shops and places around the area. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments. My favorite has to be when Yas and Dom break into Yas’s ex-boyfriend’s house. They get caught of course but the entire scene leading to that is brilliant. These funny moments do a great job sometimes introducing tough conversations relayed between the two. Conversations that further the depth of their emotionality between themselves and who they once loved.

Sense of relatability

All rom-coms have to have that sense of relatability. Yas and Dom have different approaches to how they handle heartbreak. Our introduction to Dom is him crying his eyes out in the public restroom over his girlfriend cheating on him with his best friend. Understandable tho. While Yas on the other end of the spectrum is someone who seemingly has full control of her breakup. Until we later realize that actually might not be the case. So on the one hand we have someone who wears their heart on their sleeve, on the other, we have someone who tries their best to hide it. Makes you think about yourself or people you know you have been in similar situations.

All in all the movie is cute, funny, flirty and who doesn’t love seeing young black people fall in love. Check it out f you haven’t watched it and leave a comment on what you thought about it or better yet give me some movies suggestions. Until next time!